NEW YORK and CLEVELAND, Nov. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2022.
“The positive topline data from the Phase 3 VIITAL study provides strong support for EB-101’s potential and validation of the Abeona team’s extensive efforts,” said Vish Seshadri, Chief Executive Officer of Abeona. “This is an exciting time for Abeona as we are sharply focused on submitting a Biologics License Application for EB-101 to the U.S. FDA. With the additional capital raised after quarter-end, we are now well-funded into the third quarter of 2024, beyond the anticipated timing for potential BLA approval.”
Third Quarter and Recent Operating Highlights
EB-101 for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB)
- On November 3, 2022, Abeona announced positive topline data from the pivotal Phase 3 VIITAL study of investigational EB-101 in RDEB. The VIITAL study met its two co-primary efficacy endpoints demonstrating statistically significant, clinically meaningful improvements in wound healing and pain reduction in large chronic RDEB wounds. The Company intends to present more detailed results from this study at future medical meetings and in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Based on the positive VIITAL topline results, the Company plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for EB-101 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second quarter of 2023. If the BLA is approved, Abeona may be eligible for a Priority Review Voucher (PRV), which can be used to receive expedited review by the FDA of a subsequent marketing application for a different product or sold to another company.
- Long-term follow up data up to eight years and quality of life data from a completed Phase 1/2a study of EB-101 in RDEB were published in Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. The data showed that large chronic RDEB wounds treated with EB-101 had sustained wound healing with mean 5.9 years of follow-up, and long-term symptomatic relief, including reduction in pain and itch.
Preclinical programs
- Abeona’s preclinical programs are investigating the use of novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids in AAV-based therapies for five undisclosed ophthalmic conditions. The Company has generated appropriate mouse models, produced research grade vectors, and started dosing mice in proof-of-concept studies to support possible pre-Investigational New Drug Application (IND) meetings with the FDA in early 2023.
Corporate highlights
- On November 3, 2022, the Company announced a private placement financing with gross proceeds of $35.0 million. The private placement included participation from new and existing institutional investors.
Third Quarter Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments totaled $23.5 million as of September 30, 2022. Net cash used in operating activities was $6.8 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $9.0 million in the second quarter of 2022. Abeona estimates that its current cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments plus the net proceeds from the private placement financing on November 3, 2022 are sufficient resources to fund operations into the third quarter of 2024.
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $5.5 million, compared to $9.1 million for the same period of 2021. General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $5.8 million for the same period of 2021.
Net loss attributable to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2022 was $9.5 million, or $1.48 loss per common share as compared to $7.0 million, or $1.80 loss per common share, in the third quarter of 2021.
About Abeona Therapeutics
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for serious diseases. Abeona’s lead clinical program is EB-101, its investigational autologous, engineered cell therapy currently in development for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The Company’s development portfolio also features AAV-based gene therapies for ophthalmic diseases with high unmet medical need. Abeona’s novel, next-generation AAV capsids are being evaluated to improve tropism profiles for a variety of devastating diseases. Abeona’s fully integrated cell and gene therapy cGMP manufacturing facility produced EB-101 for the pivotal Phase 3 VIITAL™ study and is capable of clinical and potential commercial production of AAV-based gene therapies. For more information, visit www.abeonatherapeutics.com.
